My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and staring eagerly at

is so pretty,

lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into

the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to

a little girl in

must sing the ‘Happy

must close her

blow

her head to indicate to Julian that there was no need

The delicate chorus of

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a

little girl who wasn’t

Rachel gentled and, under the gazes of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to give the

say thank you!” their

raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community

light of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first time in days. Thank you,

with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body

so I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that point, Rachel’s expression was dull and

up the child, he changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep warm since you have

and headed

she was inside her apartment and

slam, the door was propped open by a large

Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like scar

he out on business?

house and shut the door before

“I see you’ve been getting along

she took two steps back. Why

at her resentfully, he stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie and threw it onto the couch.

as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful days,

approached her,

Rachel had no idea what she did

staggered after him and was dragged all the way to